# COMAR Title 15 — Maryland Department of Agriculture

## Subtitle 14 — Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners

### Chapter 02 — Board Actions

#### Regulation .03 Complaint Procedures.

*COMAR 15.14.02.03*

A. The Board or a veterinary review committee shall review a complaint received within 3 years of the conduct complained of, and may review a complaint received after 3 years of the conduct complained of upon a showing of extraordinary circumstances.

B. After reviewing a complaint, the Board or a veterinary review committee may further investigate the complaint by:

  (1) Requesting relevant records;

  (2) Requesting written or oral responses from the alleged violator;

  (3) Requesting rebuttals from the complainant;

  (4) Requesting statements from witnesses;

  (5) Requesting statements from relevant third parties, including other treating veterinarians;

  (6) Procuring expert opinions on relevant specialty areas;

  (7) Researching areas in dispute; and

  (8) Seeking legal advice.

C. After completing an investigation of a complaint, the Board or a veterinary review committee may recommend that the Board take one or more of the following actions:

  (1) Dismiss the matter for lack of authority or merit;

  (2) Issue a cease and desist order;

  (3) Issue a letter of advice;

  (4) Issue a letter of admonition;

  (5) Issue a notice of action and charging document;

  (6) Stay the matter;

  (7) Stet the matter;

  (8) Refer the matter to mediation;

  (9) Refer the matter to the appropriate authorities; or

  (10) Issue a summary suspension which provides the right to request within 10 days a nonevidentiary show cause hearing.